Lesser Nighthawk

Map

This bird’s trilling twilight call is a familiar spring and summer sound of the desert. It often congregates at water sources morning and evening, rarely active during midday. It is the only breeding nighthawk across most of the extreme southwestern United States lowlands, but limited overlap with the common presents an identification challenge. Polytypic (7 ssp.; texensis in North America). Length 8–9.2" (20–23 cm).

Similar Species Some common nighthawks essentially identical in general coloration and size, but have proportionately longer, more slender, more pointed wings, and primary patch is farther from wing tip. Most commons lack buff spotting on secondaries and primaries, do not have buffy underwings.

Voice Call: (males only) whistled trill, in short isolated bursts or longer series of bursts. Flight display a bleating bao-b-bao-bao.